William of Orange and Mary were asked to overthrow the king of England to ____.

The choice of William of Orange and Mary to overthrow the king of England was primarily motivated by the desire to prevent the succession of a Catholic monarch. This situation arose during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when King James II, who was Catholic, had been ruling and raising concerns among the predominantly Protestant population about a potential Catholic dynasty. The invitation extended to William and Mary by English Protestant leaders was rooted in the fear that James II would establish Catholicism as a more dominant religion in England and the subsequent repercussions that may arise from a Catholic monarch.

By bringing William and Mary to the throne, Protestant leaders aimed to secure a Protestant succession and a government that upheld Protestant rights and privileges, ensuring that no future monarch would govern under the influence of Catholicism. This pivotal moment marked a significant shift in the balance of power in England, culminating in the establishment of constitutional principles that limited the monarchy's authority and reinforced parliamentary power.